List of amphibians of Massachusetts


This is a list of Massachusetts amphibians. It includes all amphibians currently found in Massachusetts. It does not include species found only in captivity. One species is identified as indicated below:

Salamanders

NameSpecies/AuthorityOrderFamilyRange and statusIUCN Red List
Common mudpuppy
Necturus maculosus
SalamanderProteidaeCommon; Introduced to the Connecticut River in 1936; However, there are records from the Connecticut River in Connecticut as early as 1875; The mudpuppy has also been reported from lakes in Berkshire County which probably means it is native to Western Massachusetts
7
Jefferson salamander
Ambystoma jeffersonianum
SalamanderAmbystomatidaeUncommon; Found mainly throughout Western Massachusetts; This amphibians range includes the blue spotted/Jefferson salamander hybrid, where both species interbreed and creates hybrids; It is a species of special concern in the Commonwealth due to habitat loss
7
Blue-spotted salamander
Ambystoma laterale
SalamanderAmbystomatidaeUncommon; Reported from Bristol County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Eastern Worcester County, and Norfolk County; Distinguished from most salamanders by its blue spots; Reports of Western Worcester county may represent the Jefferson salamander; Listed as special concern due to habitat loss
7
Spotted salamander
Ambystoma maculatum
SalamanderAmbystomatidaeCommon; Statewide except Nantucket
7
Marbled salamander
Ambystoma opacum
SalamanderAmbystomatidaeRare; Statewide except Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Dukes County; Threatened in the Commonwealth; There are old records from Plymouth and Essex counties; This species is difficult to locate, making it rare; The fact that Massachusetts is its almost northernmost limit of its range makes it clear why its rare in the state
7
Northern dusky salamander
Desmognathus fuscus
SalamanderPlethodontidaeCommon; Statewide except Cape Cod, Dukes, and Nantucket counties
7
Northern two-lined salamander
Eurycea bislineata
SalamanderPlethodontidaeCommon; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket; Rare in Cape Cod
7
Spring salamander
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
SalamanderPlethodontidaeLocally common to uncommon; Found in Central and Western Massachusetts
7
Four-toed salamander
Hemidactyllium scutatum
SalamanderPlethodontidaeCommon but rarely seen; Statewide except possibly Suffolk county
7
Eastern red-backed salamander
Plethodon cinereus
SalamanderPlethodontidaeVery common; Statewide
7
Eastern newt
Notopthalmus viridescens
SalamanderSalamandridaeCommon; Statewide except Nantucket
7

Frogs and toads

NameSpecies/authorityOrderFamilyRange and statusIUCN Red List
Eastern spadefoot
Scaphiopus holbrookii
FrogScaphiopodidaeRare; Threatened in the Commonwealth; Most populations are found in Cape Cod and coastal Essex county, but it is also found in the Connecticut River Valley; Due to habitat loss, it is extirpated from inland Essex county, most of Martha Vineyard, and most of the Connecticut River
7
American toad
Anaxyrus americanus
FrogBufonidaeCommon; Statewide except Nantucket
7
Fowler's toad
Anaxyrus fowleri
FrogBufonidaeCommon; Formerly statewide; Extirpated from Nantucket, Cuttyhunk Island, Muskeget Island, and parts of Martha's Vineyard due to pesticides and pollution; A population still exists in Tuckernuck Island
7
Gray treefrog
Hyla versicolor
FrogHylidaeCommon; Statewide except possibly Nantucket
7
Spring peeper
Pseudacris crucifer
FrogHylidaeCommon; Statewide
7
American bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeiana
FrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide; Introduced to Nantucket
7
American green frog
Lithobates clamitans
FrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide
7
Pickerel frog
Lithobates palustris
FrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide
7
Northern leopard frog
Lithobates pipiens
FrogRanidaeUncommon; Declining; Statewide except Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Dukes County
7
Southern leopard frog
Lithobates sphenocephala
FrogRanidaeIntroduced; Specimens caught in various areas were probably escaped captives; may soon be established
7
Wood frog
Lithobates sylvatica
FrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket
7